Whenever any homeowner hears a sound coming from the attic, it’s usually brushed off. Maybe it’s a branch hitting the roof or just the natural sounds of the house. But what if it’s a mouse, or, rather, a mouse infestation? How can you get rid of mice in your attic under the insulation?
Getting rid of mice in your attic isn’t that simple. There are many hidden dangers if you try to do it on your own, and calling a rodent removal company for one mouse might not be worth the hassle.
So, today, we’ll look at all the signs that indicate a mouse infestation in your attic and their most common entry points. Plus, we’ll take a deep dive at how you can get rid of any mice that have made your attic their new home!
How Do Mice Get in Your Attic
Mice are pretty intelligent, and when the winter season comes around, they’ll look anywhere for food and shelter. Being very small in size allows them to fit in the tiniest of entry points. So, if you have even the tiniest of holes in your attic that have gone unnoticed, chances are that a mouse can pass through them.
In general, mice will climb up to your roof through holes in pipes or gutters, as well as jump from nearby tree branches. If they can’t find an entry point, they’ll usually chew out one. Remember, these can fit in a 0.25-inch hole, so chewing a hole of that size isn’t that challenging.
What Are The Signs of Mice in Your Attic
Staying alert for the faintest noise coming from your attic might not be the best way to identify a rodent infestation. In fact, there are quite a few signs of mice in your attic that are more easily distinguishable.
Droppings
Mice are territorial, just like most rodents. So, if you have an infestation in your attic, you’ll surely find some of their droppings hanging around. You’ll just have to identify them to ensure you’re not dealing with a bigger rodent or other wildlife, like raccoons.
Musky Odor
Rodents, by nature, smell quite a lot. When a lot of mice are living in a cramped space like your attic, these musky smells are much more intense, so you’ll smell them as soon as you get up there. Plus, mice use their urine to mark their territory, which, in itself, has a very pungent odor.
Sounds During the Night
A common misconception we often hear from homeowners is that they think they have a mouse infestation but only hear noise during the day. In such a case, chances are that the intruder is a squirrel or a bird rather than a mouse.
That’s because mice are nocturnal, like most rodents. This means that they’re mostly active at night, which, in turn, indicates that you’ll have to stay up during the night to actually hear them. That is if you manage to hear them, as they make very little sound.
Electrical Problems
Mice will chew on anything they can find, from insulation to your electrical wiring. In turn, if you’ve noticed that the electricity bill has gone up lately or power outages have gotten more common, take a look at your attic.
5 Steps To Get Rid of Mice in Your Attic
If you’re 100% sure that you have a mouse infestation, it’s time to get rid of them. Firstly, put on some long sleeves and pants, as well as some gloves and a respirator. Mouse droppings can contain some deadly diseases, so going up there with a T-shirt and shorts isn’t worth the risk.
1. Seal All Potential Entry Points
Getting rid of mice has to start with preventing everything we’ve mentioned above. So, for starters, spot any potential entry points on your roof or pipeline, and seal them. You can use steel wool alongside some caulking for this.
2. Trim Any Trees Or Bushes You Have in Your Yard
To prevent any mice from climbing up to your roof easily, you’ll have to trim any tree branches overhanging your roof. Also, mice really like a mess, as you’ll notice once they leave your attic. So, if you have any bushes in your yard, keep those well-trimmed as well. This also includes your lawn!
3. Eliminate Any Potential Food Sources
As we mentioned above, mice are primarily looking for two things: food and shelter. Once you trap them inside your attic, you’ll have to eliminate their favorite food sources. So, keep your house clean of any crumbs, don’t leave out any pet food, and keep your garbage cans shut. Also, if you have any bird feeders, keep these as far away from the house as possible.
4. Place Traps Strategically
If you’ve sealed or hidden the food source that the mice were using, they’ll start exploring for different ones. This is the point where you need to set some live traps around your house. Aim for places they’ll likely visit, like your kitchen and yard. Remember to periodically check these, and make sure that you use the best baits to lure the mice.
5. Contact a Professional Rodent Removal Company
If all else fails, and you still have a rapidly growing mouse infestation in your attic, you’ll need to contact the professionals. Your local professional rodent removal company will get rid of the mice and rodent-proof your house for a set amount of time.
Let Us Eliminate Your Mouse Infestation, the Green Way
Having a rodent infestation anywhere in your house can be a terrifying experience, let alone a dangerous one. So, whenever you see any signs of a mouse infestation, you’ll need to act immediately. If you’re in SoCal, you can leave this up to us!
At Green Rodent Restoration, we’ll get rid of any infestation that’s bothering you humanely. Contact us now for a free estimate!
